TALTY, Texas (AP) — The first time a CPR instructor in Texas ever used her training on a living being turned out to be at home with a four-legged friend.

It worked.

Alicia Pederson said Tuesday that applying her knowledge about breathing and compressions for humans saved her newborn puppy. Pederson learned CPR through the Dallas-based American Heart Association, where she holds an administrative job.

Pederson's dog, Izzy, started having four puppies on March 1. One wasn't breathing or moving.

Pederson says she turned to her emergency training, sucked mucous from the dog's airway "mouth to snout" and then used her thumb to do compressions.

The puppy began breathing.

Pederson says three of the pups will be given to friends. She's keeping the resuscitated puppy named Miri — as in miracle.